Nuno Espirito Santo told he is ‘disrespectful’ as ex-CEO reacts to Nottingham Forest bust-up
Nuno Espirito Santo has been told that he signed his own death warrant at Nottingham Forest following his departure from the club.
The Portuguese manager was sacked early on Tuesday (9 September) morning, following a major disagreement with owner Evangelos Marinakis behind the scenes.
Nuno was unhappy with Forest’s recruitment this summer and felt that both Marinakis and new recruitment chief Edu Gaspar weren’t listening to his input.
The 51-year-old has been replaced by Ange Postecoglou at the City Ground, with the Australian returning to management just three months after leaving Tottenham.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that it is no surprise that Nuno was given the boot, following a number of remarkable press conferences.
Nuno disrespected Evangelos Marinakis
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the former Wolves and Tottenham boss disrespected Marinakis in the media, which effectively signed his own death warrant.
Nuno publicly criticised the Forest owner, admitting that there was tension between the pair behind the scenes.
Wyness added that you cannot call out Marinakis in that manner and get away with it.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The announcement was not a surprise. I think right from when Marinakis went on the pitch that day against Leicester, it just seemed odd.
“Of course, then Nuno struck back with his press conference. You could tell that there was only going to be one winner. We know how Marinakis can take a position and be very strong about it, but in this one, I think he may have shot himself in the foot.
“Then again, Nuno had signed his own death warrant as well. I think you’ve got to respect the owner, and you don’t do what Nuno did in that press conference and call him out as such.”
Arsenal eye Nottingham Forest star
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly among a number of clubs keeping an eye on “fantastic” Nottingham Forest star Murillo as they eye further improvements to their squad depth.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 23-year-old has emerged as a name on Mikel Arteta‘s shortlist.
Nottingham Forest placed a “huge” asking price on Murillo in the summer as they were reluctant to lose key players following Anthony Elanga’s move to Newcastle.
However, the Gunners are now believed to be tracking the Brazil defender’s situation as they have been long-term admirers of his abilities.
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